Planners recommend refusal of Stornoway student flats
1 June 2016
A bid for planning permission for new student flats in Stornoway is opposed by planners.
Lews Castle College’s proposal for a four-
Students were to move into the clusters of six bedroom flats plus four studio apartments after August 2017.
But some 11 people lodged objections over inappropriate design, the scale and mass of the building, the lack of parking, effect on neighbouring amenity problems during the construction phase and the potential for nuisance from students.
Many support the idea of having university accommodation within the town but feel the specific modern design overwhelms the traditional street.
One objector maintained it is “inappropriate and out of character with the surrounding area,” while another claimed it is the “antithesis” of the council’s own design aspirations.
A planning report highlighted the proposals are against the Outer Hebrides local development plan mainly due to its design, scale, form and large size.
Planners say the proposal should be rejected after assessing the planned building will “not contribute positively” to the character of the surrounding area nor the neighbouring conservation area.
Another conflict is the development would overlook and overshadow neighbouring gardens with negative impact on their amenity.
The developer's offer to improve the frontage on Bayhead is insufficient to allay planners' concerns.
Western Isles Council's planning committee is due to debate the issue next week.
